Peritoneal dialysis as kidney replacement therapy

: Since the introduction of CAPD more than ten years ago, peritoneal dialysis has become an established technique of renal replacement therapy. The general practitioner must be aware of the important prerequisites, advantages, risks and complications of peritoneal dialysis, and should send the patient who is near end stage renal failure to a renal unit early enough. The nephrologist and dialysis instruction nurse will try to train the patient as far as possible on an outpatient basis. The aim is for the patient to be soon in a position to perform the dialysis technique at home and thus regain responsibility and independence. With proper training he can maintain himself in a stable condition with little risk of infection and a good prognosis.